Power and Passion: Six Characters in Search of Resurrection

Sam Wells is perhaps the most exciting speaker and thinker in western Christianity today. This book is simple, erudite and deeply moving. More than that it is totally accessible to a general reader. Rarely has the central part of the Jesus story been examined in such an innovative and interesting way.

Powerful and full of insight. (4/4 people found this helpful)

Sam Wells has written a real winner in this powerful book. His dramatic presentation of how six characters responded to our Lord's Passion and Crucifixion is deeply challenging.
Sam's portrayal of Pontius Pilate, Barabbas, Joseph of Arimathea, Mrs Pilate, Peter and Mary Magdalen are true to human experience, and not least of all to ourselves. At the end of each character study there is section entitled "opportunities for individual or group reflection." The reader is asked to consider nine or ten possibilities that might help him or her grow in wisdom. These begin with the words - "I wonder..."
"I wonder what it feels like to sense that truth is against you." (from the section following Pontius Pilate.)
This isn't only a book for Lent. Its a profound introduction to the Christian Faith that will help any genuine seeker in his search for the reality of God.

Right at the start the author expresses his aims in writing the book.

"I believe that in Jesus' resurrection lies the power to transform the passion of our lives. This transformed passion gives dsciples a new power that is best described as a new politics because it changes so many of the things we take for granted that makes the world go round."

Becoming more like Jesus (12/12 people found this helpful)

Ethics is the new evangelism. Or rather, how we live as Christians will give us the opportunity to lead more to Christ. Sam Wells is an ethicist, who has studied Hauerwas' virtue ethics, and leant his trade as a pastor and leader on the council estates of Tyneside and Norwich and suburban Cambridge. During that time he recognized his calling was to write. Suddenly his talent was recognized and he was plucked from obscurity (how many leaders dream of that?) to replace William Willimon (one of the US's greatest preachers) and become Dean of Duke Chapel, and possible eventual mantel bearer to his long time mentor, Stanley himself.

I've just been sent Sam's new book, which the Archbishop of Canterbury asked him to write for Lent. It's called `Power and Passion' and looks at how six characters in the passion narrative relate to Jesus. I think it's fantastic! It analyses the interplay of power between Jesus and Pilate, Barabbas, Joseph of Arimathea, Mrs Pilate (!), Peter and Mary Magdalene. Sticking closely to the text of the most powerful story ever told (remember Leighton Ford's book - 'The Power of Story'?) the author provides perhaps something old, but definitely something new, by reflecting on how these characters relate to Jesus - and we find ourselves in all of them.

The argument builds to a crescendo: Jesus invites us to a new kind of passion, because he brings us a new kind of power. I want more of that passion and that power. There are some powerful moments in the book. It made me think about the power I didn't realise I have, and the role violence in society today. It helped me understand those Christians who find it hard to publicly follow Jesus, and the tension many women feel who are married to men less spiritually aware than they are.

Each chapter ends with `wonderings'. Saying `I wonder...' can be a much better way of reflecting on Scripture than asking questions. And after that a prayer. If you want to be stimulated by a week of daily readings in your quiet time then get this book. I bet you'll even read it on your day off.

Power and Passion: Six Characters in Search of Resurrection

Samuel Wells

Reader Reviews:

A breakthrough book (1/1 people found this helpful)

Powerful and full of insight. (4/4 people found this helpful)

Becoming more like Jesus (12/12 people found this helpful)

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